
Top ten in the world for sustainable development
The quality and scale of our impact against the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is ranked among the top ten in the world in the Times Higher Education University Impact Rankings in 2022.
The 17 SDGs are the world’s call to action on the most pressing challenges and opportunities facing humanity and the natural world, and we’re playing a leading role in tackling them.
As one of the world’s leading research institutions and the UK’s only university to have social responsibility as a core goal, The University of Manchester is playing a leading role in tackling the SDGs in four ways – through our research, learning and students, public engagement activities and responsible campus operations. Our 2021/22 SDG report outlines how are tackling the SDGs (PDF, 11.2MB).
The University of Manchester Sustainable Development Goals 2021/22 report video transcript
SDG 1: No poverty
Leading a £32 million African Cities Research Consortium to work for urban progress.
SDG 2: Zero hunger
We provided 6,000+ meal to homeless people through our Students' Union.
SDG 3: Good health and wellbeing
Our students deliver essential healthcare to local communities through the Humanising Healthcare Initiative.
SDG 4: Quality education
1,300 staff and alumni contribute to leadership in state education through our School Governor Initiative.
SDG 5: Gender equality
We hold 15 chartermarks for gender equality.
SDG 6: Clean water and sanitation
Tackling microplastic pollution in UK rivers through research and lobbying for better regulation.
SDG 7: Affordable and clean energy
More than 600 academics addressing sustainable energy challenges.
SDG 8: Decent work and economic growth
We're an accredited Living Wage employer.
SDG 9: Industry, innovation and infrastructure
Manchester Innovation Factory is creating 15+ new spin-out companies each year.
SDG 10: Reducted inequalities
300+ Global South students funded through our Equity and Merit programme.
SDG 11: Sustainable cities and communities
Platinum accreditation for progress on low-carbon travel.
SDG 12: Responsible consumption and production
Our students created a zero-waste shop on campus.
SDG 13: Climate action
Committed to Manchester's 2038 zero carbon target.
SDG 14: Life below water
Eliminating avoidable single-use plastic by 2022.
SDG 15: Life on land
300+ semi-mature trees planted on campus.
SDG 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions
Working with communities affected by conflict to create positive change.
SDG 17: Partnerships for the goals
Engaging with policymakers and the public.
Download the full report at www.manchester.ac.uk/SDGs
We are helping tackle the UN's Sustainable Development Goals
Through our research
We're delivering on the UN SDGs by creating a healthier, fairer and greener world, through our research, collaborations and partnerships.
We’ve contributed 21,571 research publications across all 17 SDGs over the past five years – representing 4% of the UK’s research on the goals. Our five research beacons – advanced materials, biotechnology, cancer, energy, and global inequalities – are examples of our pioneering work tackling the world’s biggest challenges.
Through our teaching
We’re committed to empowering students with the knowledge, skills and opportunities to understand and address all of the SDGs. We do this through:
- providing an accessible education for our local, national and international communities;
- offering our students access to programmes such as ‘Creating a sustainable world: 21st century challenges and the Sustainable Development Goals’;
- encouraging them to engage with our Stellify initiative;
- building social responsibility opportunities into the curriculum.
Through our public engagement
We hold a prestigious Gold Watermark for public engagement and aim to involve and inspire local and global communities with the SDGs. A key way that we achieve this is through work at our pioneering cultural institutions – Manchester Museum, the Whitworth, Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre and the John Rylands Research Institute and Library.
Through our campus operations
As one of our region’s largest anchor institutions we’re addressing the SDGs through our campus operations, policies and processes. We’re a living wage accredited employer, a top ranking institution for LGBT-inclusivity, hold quality marks for gender, disability and racial equality, enact responsible methods of procurement and investment and have made a commitment to zero carbon in-line with Manchester’s 2038 goal.
Supporting the Sustainable Development Goals
Find out more about how the University is supporting the SDGs.
Find out more
Download our report
Download our report to find out how we're tackling each of the 17 SDGs.
Download (PDF, 11.2MB)
Solving health, equality and sustainability challenges
Learn how our research is creating a healthier, fairer and greener world by delivering on the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Read more
Social responsibility
Find out more about our priorities and programmes at our social responsibility website.
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